Mitigating Age-Related Mobility Impediments to Using Transit

Public transportation plays a critical role in supporting independent mobility for older adults, yet transit use consistently declines with age. Many older riders reduce their trip-making altogether or rely increasingly on family members or demand-responsive services. This trend has significant operational and financial implications for transit agencies: demand-responsive trips cost several times more than fixed-route service and require advance reservations, placing strain on both riders and providers. As the U.S. population ages, and as many small, rural, and suburban agencies experience rising paratransit demand, the need to better understand—and proactively address—age-related mobility impediments is becoming urgent. Traditional transit accessibility efforts have centered largely on riders with vision impairments or those who use mobility devices, consistent with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. However, aging brings a much broader spectrum of mobility-affecting conditions, many of which are under-recognized in transit planning and design. These include changes in balance, fatigue, muscle strength, hearing, cognition, depth perception, fine motor skills, anxiety, and sensory processing—and may also include neurodivergent and other “hidden” disabilities that are not immediately apparent. Despite older adults being one of the fastest-growing rider segments, they are often left out of access conversations that prioritize wheelchairs, strollers, or general ADA compliance. These challenges are compounded by ongoing barriers in the built environment. Research shows that a significant share of transit stations remain out of full ADA compliance, and many more have inadequate lighting, poor signage, difficult audio systems, or long vertical circulation paths that are challenging for aging riders. As a result, many older adults avoid certain stations, routes, or times of day—or disengage from transit entirely, creating social isolation and diminished access to healthcare, employment, and community activities. Although the research base on aging and mobility is extensive, there remain critical gaps in understanding the full range of age-related impediments, how they manifest in transit environments, and which mitigation strategies are most effective across different operating contexts. Agencies need clearer, evidence-based guidance to help them address these issues—not only in major urban systems, but also in the small and rural agencies that often serve high proportions of older riders.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=6002
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $350,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project B-58

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transit Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Schoby, Jamaal

• Start Date: 20251208
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Barrier free design; Mobility; Public transit
• Subject Areas: Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01973728
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project B-58
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Dec 8 2025 7:45PM